Spa-tacular Orlando

Not just a destination for coasters and conventions—Orlando also offers calm to travelers.

By Michelle Cannon


Renowned as one of the premier tourism and convention capitals of the world, Orlando offers ample entertainment and meeting venues. Whether in the city for work or play, you may seek a place of relaxation and serenity from vocation and even vacations. Such a search introduces a different side of Orlando—a world-class spa destination with numerous soothing options for weary visitors.

The Star Treatment
Located just off of US 192 in Kissimmee near one of the busiest areas of tourism (Walt Disney World), yet in its own oasis, Star Island Resort boasts a “star’s” spa, The Celebrity Spa.
Utilizing the renowned all-natural Pevonia Botanica skincare line, The Celebrity Spa offers facials, massages, nail and body treatments, as well as hair services and body waxing. With services specialized for teens and adults, men and women, a friendly staff, and a relaxing atmosphere, the spa has something for everyone. It offers unique amenities, including the “C” and “Sea” Facial (highly recommended), which features vitamin C and freeze-dried seaweed to turn back the hands of time. Other special services include a melt-into-the-table Swedish massage and body wraps to shed pounds (the Green Coffee Slimming Body Wrap) and to heal sunburns (the Water Lily After Sun Soothing Wrap). Through its accommodating service and stress-alleviating services, The Celebrity Spa at Star Island truly revives the celebrity in every guest. Open seven days a week from 8 am to 9 pm. Contact the spa at 407.997.8000 or www.star-island.com for more information.

Two Good to Pass Up
Synonymous with quality in the hospitality industry, the Rosen name is attached to two state-of-the-art spas—the Body and Sol Spa at the Rosen Centre and the Spa at Rosen Shingle Creek, both located near the convention and tourism hub of International Drive.
With a focus upon healing clients within and without, the Body and Sol Spa’s professional therapists cater to each guest’s specific needs. Offering facials, massages, body and nail treatments, Body and Sol utilizes the French Yonka product line and a staff dedicated to promoting relaxation and restoration. With aromatherapy personalized to detoxification, relaxation, or stimulation, as well as an anti-fatigue leg treatment (Jambes Toniques), the Body and Sol Spa can improve a variety of ailments. An afternoon of Le Grand Classique Facial and a Therapeutic Massage is guaranteed to bring physical and spiritual peace to a guest. With the toll of traveling, a visit to Body and Sol Spa should be part of your checklist while in Orlando, perhaps more than once. Open 8 am (9 am for skincare) to 8 pm. Contact the spa at 407.996.9840 or www.rosecenter.com.
The full-service Spa at Rosen Shingle Creek (the newest in the area) provides an array of services in its nine pristine treatment rooms (including facials, massages, body and nail treatments, waxing, and hair and makeup services) that use Florida’s nature. Signature treatments make use of native plants, such as citrus and cedar, infusing your body from scalp to feet with these natural essences.
There are treatments specifically for the needs of golfers (with a massage using heated golf balls), wedding parties, mothers-to-be, and teens. Other unique options include the Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage (originating in Buddhist monasteries and using a bed surrounded by a high wooden frame to suspend a therapist who walks over the client) and treatments using chocolate that will exceed your expectations. The Florida historical and environmental themes pervade services such as the Cypress Salt Glow and the Everglades Wrap, as well as the Ponce de Leon Anti-Aging Facial. You can even follow a treatment with a nap or “siesta” draped in hot packs and calmly listening to Tibetan Ting She bells. If you are interested in reconnecting with history and nature while rejuvenating, spending time at the Spa at Rosen Shingle Creek would be highly recommended. The Spa is open 6am to 10 pm. Contact the spa at 407.996.9939 or visit online at www.rosenshinglecreek.com for more information.

Paradise Found
With a name derived from the Sanskrit legend of the gods’ quest for the Elixir of Immortality and Eternal Youth, Mandara Spa originated in Bali and now includes over forty-five locations worldwide. These locations range from the Caribbean to Asia and the South Pacific, from luxury cruise ships to Hawaii, California, Las Vegas, and two Orlando locations—the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal and the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.
The Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa and Salon at the Dolphin provides Zen-like retreat from the everyday. Decorated with carved imported Balinese wood and scented by the aroma of exotic oils, it appeals to all six senses (including perception) and has one-of-a-kind details such as a tea garden and meditation temple in its two interior gardens. Offering over one hundred options for facials, massages, body and beauty treatments (hair, waxing, nails, and makeup), the spa utilizes the Elemis line of aromatherapy products, taking a holistic approach with medical-grade essential plant oils and extracts in natural bases. These products possess high therapeutic value because of their first-time only pure extraction used to create them.
Mandara grants its guests several alternatives to meet their needs, from the Ceremony of the Hands and Feet and cellulite-reducing wraps, to a Men’s Facial, a Business Facial, and a Surfer’s Scrub for teens. The spa also offers treatments for moms-to-be, brides, the Mom and Daughter Paradise Massage, the Father and Son Chill Out Massage, and the Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap. Signature treatments, such as the Balinese Massage and the Four Hand Massage (in which two therapists work on an individual in serene silence) pamper guests. Additional treatments are teeth whitening, Novalash eyelash extensions, and the Total Glow Self-Tanning Ritual. With so many choices and the meditative environment, a guest at Mandara will have great results after just one treatment and desire more. Open 8 am to 10 pm. Contact the spa at 407.934.4772 or visit online at www.mandaraspa.com for more information.

No Excuses
Whether attending meetings or visiting attractions in the City Beautiful, at some point you’ll want to seek relief from your activities. Considered an indulgence—but actually more a necessity—a spa treatment is just the prescription for many spiritual and physical problems. Orlando fortunately provides the perfect venues for this relief, and with the quality of services and convenience of location, there’s no reason not to indulge. Orlando Spas